This delicious heritage recipe for Southern Sweet Potato Casserole starts with a smooth, buttery layer of cooked sweet potatoes and is topped with a simple pecan streusel. It’s a side dish worthy of supporting the turkey and cornbread dressing at any southern holiday table.
There’s always that one recipe that’s sure to turn heads at a holiday party, and that’s my Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with its pecan streusel topping. Maybe that sounds a little boastful, but believe me, this recipe will have all your guests raving!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There’s none of the gift buying and giving pressure that there is for Christmas, the decorations are beautiful without being over the top, and the whole day is all about food! Even more than that, the idea of setting aside a day on which to just be “thankful” is humbling.
We may grumble about our situation sometimes; we may look at what others have accomplished with just a tinge of “wishfulness,” but if we truly look around, we’ll find so much for which we should give thanks.
When I get around to planning this year’s Thanksgiving menu, you can be sure it will include my classic Southern Sweet Potato Casserole. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving here without sweet potatoes in some form, and this casserole just happens to be my favorite.
This is the same basic recipe that my mother has served for years. Some people like theirs topped with marshmallows, and some with this pecan and brown sugar mixture. I like both!
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: Southern, Vintage
Cooking Method: Oven
Total Time: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes
Servings: 6
Primary Ingredient(s): Sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, egg, pecans
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s a sweet, nutty, indulgent side dish for your holiday feast.
- Very easy to make. The hardest thing about this recipe is stopping yourself from diving in before dinner is served.
- It can be made ahead of time. You can make the base and then reheat it with the pecan topping on the day you’re serving.
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see this recipe on page 146 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
Ingredient Notes
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- Sweet Potatoes – May be stored in a cool, dry place and should last for 10-14 days. Choose ones that are firm and have smooth skin without any cuts or bruised spots.
- Butter – You’ll need butter for both the potato mixture and the topping.
- Light Brown Sugar – Also used for both the filling and the topping.
- Milk – I recommend whole milk. For even richer flavor, use half and half or light cream.
- Egg – The egg is necessary both to bind the ingredients together and to give a little fluffiness to the filling.
- Vanilla Extract – McCormick is an always dependable brand.
- Chopped Pecans – Add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor to the casserole topping.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Southern Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecan Topping
- Place the sweet potatoes in a deep pot with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook 40-45 minutes or until tender.
- Remove them from the water and allow them to cool enough to handle. (I slice them open to hurry the cooling process.)
- While waiting for the sweet potatoes to cool, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a baking dish.
- Peel the potatoes, place them in a mixing bowl, and mash.
- To the mixing bowl, add the softened butter, light brown sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla.
- Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
👉 PRO TIP: If your sweet potatoes are still quite warm, wait until you’ve beaten them for a minute or so before you add the egg. This will help keep the egg from cooking in the heat of the sweet potatoes.
- In a small mixing bowl, use a fork to combine the ingredients for the topping.
- Sprinkle evenly over the filling mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Casserole
If you are making this casserole for a holiday feast such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, pair it with cornbread dressing, baked curried fruit, cheesy broccoli casserole, potatoes au gratin, and oven roasted turkey of course!
How To Make Ahead
To make ahead, cook and mash the sweet potatoes and add them to the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Mix the pecan streusel and store it in a separate zip-top bag. When ready to cook, bring the potatoes to room temperature, add the topping, and bake.
Storing and Reheating
Completely cooled leftovers may be refrigerated in airtight container for up to three days. To freeze, place the casserole in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to one month. Reheat in the microwave.
Recipe Variations
Dairy Free: Substitute the milk and butter with either coconut milk and butter or dairy-free margarine.
Gluten Free: Use a flour substitute like chickpea, almond, oat, or rice in the streusel topping.
More Southern Recipes
Questions About Sweet Potato Casserole
There isn’t much agreement between online sources as to what constitutes a “medium sweet potato.” I generally consider about 6 to 8 ounces per sweet potato to be a medium size. For this recipe, you’d need to purchase about 20 to 24 ounces total weight of sweet potatoes.
In the United States, we often use the terms yam and sweet potato interchangeably. They are, however, two completely different foods. Yams usually have dark brown skin and light, almost white flesh, whereas sweet potatoes have reddish skin with golden yellow to orange or pinkish flesh. You’re unlikely to find actual yams in a supermarket produce section.
You can use canned sweet potatoes in this recipe, but there will be subtle differences in taste. For this recipe, you’d need at least two 16-ounce cans of candied yams (not yams at all – see above), well drained. You’ll also need to adjust the sugar because the canned yams will already be sweetened. I recommend Bruce’s brand for canned, candied yams.
Yes, you can! But be sure to use a light touch. Sweet potatoes have a very delicate flavor, and adding too much spice will mask their natural sweetness. If you want to add some spice, try a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom or a bit of pumpkin pie spice mix. Add a little to your sweet potato mixture, have a taste, and adjust as needed.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Recipe
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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
Ingredients
- 3 medium sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup softened butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
Instructions
- Rinse the sweet potatoes to remove any residual dirt. Place them in a deep pot with enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a high simmer and cook for 40-45 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the water and allow them to cool enough to handle. (Slice them open to hurry the cooling process.)
- While the sweet potatoes cool, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a baking dish.
- Peel the sweet potatoes, place them in a mixing bowl, and mash using a potato masher or large fork.
- Add the softened butter, light brown sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla.
- Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the topping. Use a fork to mix well.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the 350 degree preheated oven.
Notes
- The recipe easily doubles to serve a larger crowd.
- If your sweet potatoes are still quite warm, wait until you’ve beaten them for a minute or so before you add the egg. This will help lower the temperature and stop the egg from cooking in the heat of the sweet potatoes.
- To make ahead, cook and mash the sweet potatoes and add them to the baking dish. Mix the pecan streusel and store it in a zip-top bag. When ready to cook, bring the potatoes to room temperature, add the topping, and bake.
- Store, covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- The cooked casserole can be cooled and frozen. Cover well and freeze for up to three months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on November 18, 2014. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
The best I’ve ever have tasted I have made it over 40 years. A friend I worked with shared with us.
I’m sorry but am I missing the measurements on here? How much milk are we to put in this?
All measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom.
I see this serves 6. What is the serving size? And would I need to bake any longer if doubling?
If you’re doubling the recipe, you’ll need to cook until the internal temperature reach 160 to make sure the eggs are fully cooked. The serving size is simply 1/6 of the full recipe. A precise measurement would depend on the size and weight of the potatoes you use. It’s just not exact.
This was an excellent recipe! I made it exactly as in the recipe and it turned out perfectly. Everyone in the family loved it and every scrap got eaten. Will be making this again!!
I’m so glad to know you liked the recipe! It’s an old family favorite of ours, too.
If I were to use canned sweet potatoes, how many should I use? I don’t have time to prepare them with fresh… plus I need to make enough for 12+ people. should I triple everything?
I’m anxious to try this recipe. Have you ever made this a day ahead of time, and then bake It the next?
Hi Marcia. Yes, I usually make it the day before and put the topping in a separate container. Store both in the fridge and then put the topping on right before baking it. Works fine.
This looks wonderful! Can I make it the night before and reheat it the next day? Or should I prepare it the night before and wait to bake it?
If I was making it ahead of time, I’d do the sweet potato part but wait to put the topping on right before I baked it. Hope that helps!
I LOVE sweet potato casserole, and this one looks amazing!
One of my favorite side dishes! Yum! Happy Thanksgiving!
This looks like the perfect comfort dish for Thanksgiving! My toddler is a big fan of sweet potatoes so I’m going to have to make this for her!
Sweet Potatoes are a much for Thanksgiving!! Love that you’re making them the same way that your mom did!
Yumyumyum! This has me SO excited for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait!!
This is so perfect for the holidays!
Oh that topping really makes the dish. Wonderful recipe, Lana. Thanks.
You reminded me of a dish my grandma would make occasionally – I think sweet potatoes are going to find their way onto the holiday menu now at my home. Thanks Lana!!!
Certainly a classic on our Thanksgiving table! Now I’m hungry….
I knew it was coming, but it still snuck up on me. This beautiful sweet potato casserole is welcome at my Thanksgiving table anytime.
Thanksgiving and Christmas sneak up on me every year, Heather! You’d think I’d learn by now :-)
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, too! And that topping… oh my. Looks amazing!
Thanks Erin!
I knew I’d find something luscious here for the Thanksgiving table. I think the topping is my favorite part of the sweet potato casserole!!
Mine too, Lora! I even like the older toasted marshmallow topping :-)
Sweet potato casserole is a must have on my dinner table! looks yummy!
Looks so delicious!! :)
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving at our house without sweet potato casserole!
Just gotta have sweet potato casserole on the table next Thursday. Your dish looks fantastic!
Thanks Marjory. Yes, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it.
Wow!! It looks lovely!
Thanks, Brenda. I know it wouldn’t be for you with your sugar-free focus, but I do appreciate the comment :-)
Now THAT is a sweet potato casserole! Loving all of that crumb topping :)
That topping is so good! Of course, I like the marshmallows as well :-)
Very similar to one I make. By accident I mixed the topping in a saucepan where I had melted the butter It was a pain to spread but the flavor was incredible.
More butter, more better!!